7 Essential Oils for Hot Flashes & Night Sweats – Menopause Relief

Life comes in different phases. The way puberty ushers in menstruation and hormonal changes, menopause is the stage menstrual periods come to a halt. The ovaries stop functioning, which means no monthly bloodshed and childbearing. Medically speaking, it is called menopause after a 12-month break from vaginal bleeding, coupled with a decrease in hormone function. Menopause usually occurs between the age of 49 and 52, with 51 being the average age in the US. However, it can happen earlier in women who have had their uterus surgically removed. Studies have shown that menopause can occur as early as 30 and as late as 60.

Symptoms of Menopause

As menopause knocks, the monthly period becomes irregular, resulting in shorter or longer duration, lighter or heavier flow. At this period, women witness hot flashes, which may last from 30 seconds to ten minutes and can happen at any time in the day. A Hot Flash is a warm feeling racking the whole body, caused by repeated opening and closing of the blood vessels.

Hot flashes are sometimes accompanied by shivering, sweating, and reddening of the skin. Other symptoms of menopause are vaginal dryness and low libido, mood swings, unusually frequent urination, sleeping trouble or insomnia, night sweats, irritation, etc. These symptoms vary in severity with different women. In some, there is a chance of developing an age-related disease like cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis (caused by estrogen decline). The symptoms of menopause can sometimes alter our day-to-day activities and cause inconveniences.

How Essential Oils Can Help With Menopause & Hot Flashes

Menopause is a natural phenomenon and should be treated as such. Essential Oils come as a natural remedy for people who want relief from the symptoms of menopause. They are extracted from plants and are known to provide natural relief for many ailments, leaving little or side effects that sometimes come with prescription drugs. To help, I have selected a few essential oils for hot flashes. Essential Oils will help to boost your estrogen levels, balance your hormones, and help you relax in the wake of menopause symptoms.

Clary Sage Oil

Using Clary Sage oil for hot flashes and its accompanying effects will provide considerable relief. Clary Sage oil has a soothing and calming effect and helps to ease menstrual cramps, relieve the symptoms of PMS. It helps to balance body hormones, reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. Clary Sage oil has antidepressant and sedative effects, which improve mental clarity, a﻿id s﻿leep, reduce insomnia, reduce mood swings, and fight depression. Clary Sage can also help with indigestion and lower blood pressure.

Usage: You will find quick relief from hot flashes by massaging three drops of the oil onto the back of your neck or over your feet. Make sure you dilute Clary Sage Oil before topical usage.

Alternatively, you can put 2-3 drops on your napkin or hand towel and place it over your nose to inhale.

Cypress Oil

Cypress Oil is a detoxifier that works effectively in ridding the body of harmful toxins, reduce the retention of fluids, and limit the buildup of cellulite. It helps to curb hormonal and emotional imbalances by soothing the nervous system, thus restoring calm to the body and preventing mood swings and other factors that can unsettle the body. When used, it helps to cool the discomforting feeling that comes with hot flashes.

Peppermint Oil

Though commonly used for respiratory disorders and many other health conditions, Peppermint Oil is another excellent essential oil for hot flashes. It has soothing, analgesic, antidepressant and sedative properties that help to boost moods, aid mental clarity and to refresh the spirit. It is particularly helpful with migraines or headaches, relieve achy joints, ease digestion, boost the energy levels, and for reducing the pain and frequency of hot flashes. Also, if you are experiencing cramps, the peppermint oil will help provide lasting relief.

Usage: You can inhale the oil from a hand towel after adding 2 or 3 drops on it. You can also use with your bath water by adding a few drops to give you a refreshing bath.

Sage Oil

With properties similar to that of Clary Sage oil, Sage Oil provides excellent relief for hot flashes and night sweats. It has a sweet and minty flavor that you will find endearing. Sage oil reduces the intensity and frequency of hot flashes. It contains estrogen compounds that help to balance the body’s hormones, thus limiting many menopausal symptoms.

Geranium Oil

Geranium oil works as both a revitalizer and detoxifier. These properties help to clean the body of harmful toxins and aid digestion. It helps to calm and sooth the body in the event of hot flashes and night sweats. It helps to balance body hormones by regulating hormonal secretions, thereby effective in treating the symptoms associated with PMS. Geranium Oil will help boost your mood, lessen irritation and anxiety.

Usage: For stress relief, use geranium oil by adding two drops to your napkin and inhaling. You can also add a few drops to your bath water.

Lavender Oil

Lavender is the most versatile oil with excellent healing properties for many health conditions. It will help to balance your hormones and provide relief to hot flashes. It also helps with perineal discomfort, insomnia and night sweat by providing a calm and soothing effect.

Usage: You can use Lavender Oil with a cold compress, but I would suggest you dilute with a carrier oil first to prevent skin irritation—especially if you have sensitive skin.

Citrus Oil

The use of Citrus oil aromatherapy has proven very beneficial in the treatment of many symptoms associated with menopause. A study has shown that citrus oil not only helps with relieving those symptoms but also helps to boost sexual drive. They also discovered decreased systolic blood pressure, improved pulse rate, and estrogen levels. Citrus oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help to relief cramps and achy joints.

Essential Oil Blends for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Mix the oils together and then dilute in the carrier oil. Use as your massage oil or with your bath water.

Recipe 2 – Night or day sweats formula

10 drops of grapefruit oil

10 drops of lime oil

5 drops of thyme oil

5 drops sage of oil

Additional Lifestyle Suggestion

Asides using essential oils, there is a course of diet and lifestyle to follow to make your transition to menopause easier.

Additional Things That Might Give Menopause Relief

Diet: There are foods that help to balance the body’s hormones and reduce the symptoms of menopause. At this stage, you need many minerals and healthy fats that will help keep your body in order and manage weight gain. Your diet should include high fiber meals, organic fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fats, and water. Examples are cucumber, coconut, watermelon, legumes, fresh dairy products, etc. Taking packaged foods, carbonated drinks, refined oils, and fried foods, added sugar and alcohol might worsen your menopausal symptoms.

Stress management: Stress is another factor that may affect the symptoms associated with menopause. It is important that you manage stress and avoid anything that may trigger it. Try to avoid overworking and pressure, and don’t skip meals. Many use this time to build close relationships, meditate, spend time with nature, and experience acupuncture,

Exercise: Exercising is a very healthy practice especially during menopause. It helps to handle the many risks that come with menopause such as obesity, muscle wasting, chronic stress and inflammation. You can start by performing aerobic and strength building exercises for at least thrice weekly. It will strengthen you and lower the risk of osteoporosis and obesity.

To Conlude

Menopause is a stage every woman will pass through – a transition into a new life. It is important that you do a healthy diet and try as much as possible not to skip meals. Essential oils should be used with caution and sparingly because they are highly potent and 100% therapeutic. Dilute them with carrier oils to reduce their sensitivity and make them last longer.

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About the author

Sally Wong

Sally Wong is a manual therapist for about 15 years now and also a massage specialist. She is actively taking care of her body to stay healthy and in shape by doing Yoga and Tai Chi. She has a lot of knowledge and interest in Essential Oils because of her Oriental background. She learnt many things from her Grandmother. Originally from a small village in South China, now she lives in Vancouver, Canada.